German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce (AHK)

The German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK) was founded in May 2009 and fully integrated the German Industry & Commerce Office which had already existed for 10 years in Dubai and 5 years in Abu Dhabi at that time. The AHK is the first bilateral federal business organization as well as the first international institution on the federal level which has been founded in the Gulf.

AHK is part of a global network of German Chambers (AHKs) located at 140 locations in 92 countries around the world. AHKs are co-funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). AHKs are closely connected to the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) in Germany. Together, they support German companies by building up and extending their business relations with foreign countries. The Umbrella organization of the IHKs is the German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) which also coordinates and supports the AHKs. Furthermore, cooperation with various German trade associations strengthens the link of AHKs to business and markets.

Through the reputed  Emirati and German members of our Board of Directors and  Board of Trustees, AHK has direct access to Emirati and German decision-makers, which is crucial for initiating business relations. AHK’s chairman is HE Saeed Abdul Jalil Mohammed Al Fahim, Chairman of Al Fahim Group. Vice-Chairman is Saeed Mohammed Al Ghurair of Al Ghurair Group. The CEO Oliver Oehms is the Regional Delegate of German Industry & Commerce for the Gulf Region (Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Iraq).

In addition to its role as the official representative of the German Industry & Commerce on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, AHK offers a range of activities such as business intelligence and consulting services for market entry, sourcing for business partnerships as well as trade fairs participation in the UAE and Germany. As a membership organization, AHK functions as effective information and networking platform to support bilateral business relations through regular get-togethers, special events, committees, and working groups. Social Events offer members the opportunity to network outside the business environment.